The first few months went by quickly. Although Tommy was a slow learner, he did not give up easily. One day, he was having trouble with Gub-Gub.
"Dr. Dolittle?" he called out, holding the pig under his arm. Dr. Dolittle had his head in the wiff-waff’s tank. So all Dr. Dolittle heard was this: "Duroo Duroo-roo?"
Dr. Dolittle pulled his head out of the tank. He did not look happy. "I can’t do it," he sighed. "The wiff-waff isn’t able to help me learn the shellfish language."
"But you can’t give up!" Tommy pleaded.
The doctor removed his goggles and gloves. "Well, there is one more hope," he said. "But we will have to wait and see."
"Doctor, I don’t know what’s wrong with Gub-Gub." Tommy handed him the wiggling pig.
The doctor looked Gub-Gub over. "He looks fine to me," Dr. Dolittle remarked.
"I asked for a piece of cake and look what he gave me!" Gub-Gub cried.
"Yes, Gub-Gub. I told Tommy to give that to you," the doctor said in return.
"No! I hate apples!" pouted the pig.
"You’re on a diet. From now on, only fruits and vegetables for you!" the doctor said sternly.
Just then, Polynesia flew into the room. She was breathless. "Oh, doctor! The purple . . ." she gasped.
"Tell me, what is it, Polynesia?" the doctor urged.
Polynesia took a few deep breaths. "The purple bird of paradise is here. She brings bad news!"
"Oh, dear, oh, dear!" the doctor frowned. He dropped Gub-Gub and rushed into the kitchen. Tommy ran after. A beautiful purple bird was sitting on the table. Her head was decorated with a crown of gold that matched her long sweeping tail. "Miranda!" the doctor shouted.
The beautiful bird dramatically opened one eye. "Dr. Dolittle!" she moaned. "Long Arrow has disappeared!"
Dr. Dolittle swayed on his feet and fell into a chair. "Disappeared? What do you mean?"
Tommy could see that the doctor was very upset.
"Long Arrow doesn’t go anywhere without telling us birds," Miranda continued. "But now he’s gone! Not even a word to the eagles."
"That doesn’t make sense!" The doctor shook his head. "Long Arrow and the eagles are the closest friends! He always tells them where he is going."
"That is why we fear the worst," the beautiful bird cried.
Dr. Dolittle paced back and forth. "No. There has got to be some explanation," he kept muttering. "Where was the last place you saw him?"
"On Spider Monkey Island," replied Miranda.
"Then that is where he must be!" exclaimed the doctor.
"We searched everywhere for the great Indian," said Miranda. "We flew over the entire island."
"I believe . . . no, I KNOW he is still there!" the doctor said stubbornly. "We will go to Spider Monkey Island and find Long Arrow!"
At this point, Tommy could take it no longer. "Excuse me, Dr. Dolittle," interrupted Tommy. "Please tell me what’s going on."
The doctor turned to him and grabbed his shoulders. "Tommy, Long Arrow is missing and we are going to find him!"
"Who is Long Arrow?" Tommy asked.
"Long Arrow is the greatest naturalist in the world," said the doctor.
"What’s a naturalist?" asked Tommy.
"A person who studies nature—plants, animals, insects, everything that lives."
Tommy said, "Can he speak to animals like you?"
"He can communicate with all forms of life. Long Arrow and I have communicated through Miranda for many years," continued the doctor. "I recently sent a message asking for his help."
"For what?"
"To understand the language of the shellfish. But now the great Long Arrow is missing. And," added Dr. Dolittle firmly, "it looks as if I will have to go and find my friend!"
"Can I come with you?" Tommy asked excitedly. He had long dreamed of going off on a voyage with the doctor.
"Yes, but we don’t have much time," said Dr. Dolittle.
Tommy could hardly believe it. He was finally going to travel the world.